lousy thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lousy thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express dissatisfaction or disappointment about an object, situation, or experience. Example: "I can't believe I wasted my money on that lousy thing; it broke after just one use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A lousy thing indeed.

The New York Times

"It's a lousy thing to do".

The New York Times

I think it's a lousy thing to do.

The New York Times - Sports

"And here someone else has done a lousy thing".

The New York Times

The issue of whether John McCain's campaign workers did a great or lousy thing by sharing so many inside stories about Sarah Palin — and sharing stories in particular that cast her in a negative light — apparently provokes heated discussion.

The New York Times

"I don't know where I am on that, and that's a lousy thing to say.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Lousy things can always happen, but they are much more likely to if we let them — without a peep of complaint.

The New York Times

Shaxson, a seasoned financial journalist with a talent for asking awkward questions, details how lousy things happened, and why, with a sigh and a neat turn of phrase.

The Guardian - Books

The news about the news, for the most part, has stunk for some time: There's been cowardly and crappy decision-making in scary times; ethics, at times, have been mislaid; lousy things have found their way into print, and worthy things -- killed for unworthy reasons -- have not.

Huffington Post

Fuckhead's stories are lousy with things gone or going wrong: car crashes, shootings, overdoses, burglaries, abortions.

The Guardian - Books

"You broke your word to us and that is a deeply lousy and immoral thing to have done," wrote Rudin.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lousy thing" in informal contexts to express dissatisfaction or disappointment. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "substandard item" or "inferior product".

Common error

Avoid using "lousy thing" in professional documents or academic papers, as it may come across as unprofessional. Choose more formal and precise language to convey your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lousy thing" functions primarily as a subjective descriptor. It combines the adjective "lousy", which expresses poor quality or dissatisfaction, with the noun "thing", creating a general term for something disliked. Ludwig's examples show its usage to express disappointment or disapproval.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lousy thing" is an informal and subjective way to describe something of poor quality or something disappointing. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in News & Media contexts. While it effectively conveys dissatisfaction, it is best reserved for informal settings. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "inferior product" or "substandard item" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible thing

This alternative is a more general expression of something negative or unpleasant.

awful thing

Similar to "terrible thing", this phrase suggests something highly disagreeable or unpleasant.

horrible thing

This implies a stronger negative emotional response, suggesting something shocking or dreadful.

dreadful thing

Suggests something that causes fear or great reluctance.

rotten thing

This alternative suggests something morally objectionable or unfair.

crummy thing

This alternative uses a more informal, almost dismissive, tone to describe something inferior.

poor quality item

This is a more literal alternative focusing on the subpar quality of an object.

substandard item

This suggests that something fails to meet the required or expected level.

inferior product

This alternative is primarily used when referring to manufactured goods or items.

bad job

This refers to a poorly executed task or performance, rather than a physical object.

FAQs

What does "lousy thing" mean?

The phrase "lousy thing" is an informal expression used to describe something of poor quality or something that is disappointing or undesirable.

How can I use "lousy thing" in a sentence?

You can use "lousy thing" to express disappointment or dissatisfaction with something. For example, "I can't believe I wasted my money on that "terrible thing"."

What are some synonyms for "lousy thing"?

Some synonyms for "lousy thing" include "awful thing", "terrible thing", or "inferior product" depending on the context.

Is "lousy thing" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "lousy thing" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it is better to use more precise and professional alternatives such as "substandard item" or "poor quality item".